AT THE U.S. OPEN Unlikely champ McDowell sinks least in an ocean of over-par championship golf

Published 4:00 am, Monday, June 21, 2010

Graeme McDowell breaks down with joy after two-putting the 18th green for the 110th U.S. Open victory Sunday at Pebble Beach.

Graeme McDowell breaks down with joy after two-putting the 18th green for the 110th U.S. Open victory Sunday at Pebble Beach.

Photo: Lance Iversen, The Chronicle

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Phil Mickelson misses a birdie putt on the second green during final rounds of the 110th U.S. Open victory Sunday at Pebble Beach.

Phil Mickelson misses a birdie putt on the second green during final rounds of the 110th U.S. Open victory Sunday at Pebble Beach.

Photo: Lance Iversen, The Chronicle

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Ernie Els chips onto the 14th green during final rounds of the 110th U.S. Open victory Sunday at Pebble Beach.

Ernie Els chips onto the 14th green during final rounds of the 110th U.S. Open victory Sunday at Pebble Beach.

Photo: Lance Iversen, The Chronicle

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Gaeme McDowell celebrates his win at the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach on Sunday.

Gaeme McDowell celebrates his win at the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach on Sunday.

Photo: Michael Macor, The Chronicle

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Ernie Els hits his approach shot at the ninth hole above Carmel Beach during final rounds of the 110th U.S. Open victory Sunday at Pebble Beach.

Ernie Els hits his approach shot at the ninth hole above Carmel Beach during final rounds of the 110th U.S. Open victory Sunday at Pebble Beach.

Photo: Lance Iversen, The Chronicle

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Ernie Els talks to his ball after missing a putt on the 10th green during final rounds of the 110th U.S. Open victory Sunday at Pebble Beach.

Ernie Els talks to his ball after missing a putt on the 10th green during final rounds of the 110th U.S. Open victory Sunday at Pebble Beach.

Photo: Lance Iversen, The Chronicle

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Tiger Woods hits his second shot from a fairway bunker on the fourth hole during final rounds of the 110th U.S. Open victory Sunday at Pebble Beach.

Tiger Woods hits his second shot from a fairway bunker on the fourth hole during final rounds of the 110th U.S. Open victory Sunday at Pebble Beach.

Photo: Lance Iversen, The Chronicle

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Tiger Woods hits his drive on the 18th finishing hole during the finals of the 110th U.S. Open Sunday at Pebble Beach.

Tiger Woods hits his drive on the 18th finishing hole during the finals of the 110th U.S. Open Sunday at Pebble Beach.

Photo: Lance Iversen, The Chronicle

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Grregory Havret of France tees off on the fourth hole during final rounds of the 110th U.S. Open victory Sunday at Pebble Beach.

Grregory Havret of France tees off on the fourth hole during final rounds of the 110th U.S. Open victory Sunday at Pebble Beach.

Photo: Lance Iversen, The Chronicle

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Tiger Woods reacts after hitting his tee shot on the fourth hole into the fairway bunker during final rounds of the 110th U.S. Open victory Sunday at Pebble Beach.

Tiger Woods reacts after hitting his tee shot on the fourth hole into the fairway bunker during final rounds of the 110th U.S. Open victory Sunday at Pebble Beach.

Photo: Lance Iversen, The Chronicle

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Phil Mickelson looks over the ninth green that sits above Carmel Beach prior to putting during final rounds of the 110th U.S. Open victory Sunday at Pebble Beach.

Phil Mickelson looks over the ninth green that sits above Carmel Beach prior to putting during final rounds of the 110th U.S. Open victory Sunday at Pebble Beach.

Photo: Lance Iversen, The Chronicle

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Tiger Woods escapes the tall grass after he hit his drive on the third hole into the woods during the final round of the 110th U.S. Open on Sunday at Pebble Beach.

Tiger Woods escapes the tall grass after he hit his drive on the third hole into the woods during the final round of the 110th U.S. Open on Sunday at Pebble Beach.

Photo: Lance Iversen, The Chronicle

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Grregory Havret of France stands in the middle of the second fairway waiting his turn to hit during final rounds of the 110th U.S. Open victory Sunday at Pebble Beach.

Grregory Havret of France stands in the middle of the second fairway waiting his turn to hit during final rounds of the 110th U.S. Open victory Sunday at Pebble Beach.

Photo: Lance Iversen, The Chronicle

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Ernie Els blast out of the 17th sand trap onto the green during final rounds of the 110th U.S. Open victory Sunday at Pebble Beach.

Ernie Els blast out of the 17th sand trap onto the green during final rounds of the 110th U.S. Open victory Sunday at Pebble Beach.

Photo: Lance Iversen, The Chronicle

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Ernie Els asks for help on how close his ball is to the cup after hitting his second shot on the 15th hole during final rounds of the 110th U.S. Open victory Sunday at Pebble Beach.

Ernie Els asks for help on how close his ball is to the cup after hitting his second shot on the 15th hole during final rounds of the 110th U.S. Open victory Sunday at Pebble Beach.

Photo: Lance Iversen, The Chronicle

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Davis Love III thanks the galley after making a birdie on the second hole during final rounds of the 110th U.S. Open victory Sunday at Pebble Beach.

Davis Love III thanks the galley after making a birdie on the second hole during final rounds of the 110th U.S. Open victory Sunday at Pebble Beach.

Photo: Lance Iversen, The Chronicle

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A USGA official looks on as Ernie Els climbs back to the 10th fairway after losing his drive to the ocean during final rounds of the 110th U.S. Open victory Sunday at Pebble Beach.

A USGA official looks on as Ernie Els climbs back to the 10th fairway after losing his drive to the ocean during final rounds of the 110th U.S. Open victory Sunday at Pebble Beach.

Photo: Lance Iversen, The Chronicle

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Gaeme McDowell (left) celebrates with his caddy, Ken Comboy, after winning the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach on Sunday.

Gaeme McDowell (left) celebrates with his caddy, Ken Comboy, after winning the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach on Sunday.

Photo: Michael Macor, The Chronicle

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Gaeme McDowell lifts the U.S. Open trophy after his victory at Pebble Beach on Sunday.

Gaeme McDowell lifts the U.S. Open trophy after his victory at Pebble Beach on Sunday.

Photo: Michael Macor, The Chronicle

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Graeme McDowell celebrates with friends and family on the 18th green after winning the 110th U.S. Open on Sunday at Pebble Beach.

Graeme McDowell celebrates with friends and family on the 18th green after winning the 110th U.S. Open on Sunday at Pebble Beach.

Photo: Lance Iversen, The Chronicle

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Tiger Woods takes a long look at the fifth green after missing a birdie attempt during final rounds of the 110th U.S. Open victory Sunday at Pebble Beach.

Tiger Woods takes a long look at the fifth green after missing a birdie attempt during final rounds of the 110th U.S. Open victory Sunday at Pebble Beach.

Photo: Lance Iversen, The Chronicle

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Tiger Woods reacts after sinking a putt on the third hole that saved par during the final round of the 110th U.S. Open on Sunday at Pebble Beach.

Tiger Woods reacts after sinking a putt on the third hole that saved par during the final round of the 110th U.S. Open on Sunday at Pebble Beach.

Photo: Lance Iversen, The Chronicle

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Gaeme McDowell clutches the U.S. Open trophy after his victory at Pebble Beach on Sunday.

Gaeme McDowell clutches the U.S. Open trophy after his victory at Pebble Beach on Sunday.

Photo: Michael Macor, The Chronicle

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Graeme McDowell hugs his caddy, Ken Comboy, after two-putting the 18th green for the 110th U.S. Open victory Sunday at Pebble Beach.

Graeme McDowell hugs his caddy, Ken Comboy, after two-putting the 18th green for the 110th U.S. Open victory Sunday at Pebble Beach.

Photo: Lance Iversen, The Chronicle

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Phil Mickelson follows the flight of his drive on the ninth hole during final rounds of the 110th U.S. Open victory Sunday at Pebble Beach.

Phil Mickelson follows the flight of his drive on the ninth hole during final rounds of the 110th U.S. Open victory Sunday at Pebble Beach.

Photo: Lance Iversen, The Chronicle

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Dustin Johnson, who started Sundays final round 6 under par, walks up the 18th fairway to finish 11 over par at the 110th U.S. Open on Sunday at Pebble Beach.

Dustin Johnson, who started Sundays final round 6 under par, walks up the 18th fairway to finish 11 over par at the 110th U.S. Open on Sunday at Pebble Beach.

Photo: Lance Iversen, The Chronicle

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Tom Watson, hugs his son Michael who was his caddy, as he finishes play on 18th hole for what may be the last U.S. Open he might play, during the final round of the 2010 U.S. Open Golf Championship at Pebble Beach, Ca. on Sunday June 20, 2010. less

Tom Watson, hugs his son Michael who was his caddy, as he finishes play on 18th hole for what may be the last U.S. Open he might play, during the final round of the 2010 U.S. Open Golf Championship at Pebble ... more

Photo: Michael Macor, The Chronicle

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Gaeme McDowell with his tee shot to the par-3 17th, which he bogeyed but still held on for the U.S. Open victory to win by one-shot, during the final round of the 2010 U.S. Open Golf Championship at Pebble Beach, Ca. on Sunday June 20, 2010. less

Gaeme McDowell with his tee shot to the par-3 17th, which he bogeyed but still held on for the U.S. Open victory to win by one-shot, during the final round of the 2010 U.S. Open Golf Championship at Pebble ... more

The exclusive club of glamorous U.S. Open champions at Pebble Beach seemed ready to welcome another marquee member. Tiger Woods, already in the club, nailing down his 15th major? Phil Mickelson finally earning his elusive national championship? Ernie Els ending years of frustration on the grand stage?

They all stood right there, in prime position, only to absorb a flurry of body punches from stout, angry little Pebble. So at 6:15 p.m., under familiar gray skies, an amiable chap from Northern Ireland named Graeme McDowell elbowed his way into the mythical room.

McDowell lacks the cachet of Pebble's previous Open champs, from Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson to Tom Kite and Woods, but his victory Sunday personified the character of this tournament. McDowell did not conquer the course as much as he survived it, shooting 74 in a final round memorable mostly for the way it punished the game's finest players.

Third-round leader Dustin Johnson (82) imploded early, creating a wild and wide-open chase for the silver trophy. It was akin to a parade of drunks staggering in the dark at times, with Woods (75), Mickelson (73) and Els (73) - who merely own 21 major championships among them - all wading knee-deep in bogeys.

In the end, McDowell found himself walking down the 18th hole trying to hold off Gregory Havret, an unheralded Frenchman ranked No. 391 in the world. Havret missed his birdie putt to finish the day at 72, allowing McDowell to safely play for par and secure a one-shot win and his first major title.

The scene seemed straight out of a European Tour event, unfolding right there on Pebble's fabled 18th green. But even if McDowell brings no Q rating in this country, it was impossible not to appreciate the emotion he showed after his final putt dropped - looking skyward in exultation and then wrapping his father in a warm hug.

McDowell needed some love after 4 1/2 hours trading blows with chilly conditions, firm greens and devilish pin positions. Only six of the 83 players who teed off Sunday broke par - and none of those six started the day in the top 20. McDowell officially won at even-par, but count Pebble as co-champion, proving once and for all that courses need not reach 7,500 yards to defend themselves.

Given the big names chasing him all day, McDowell confessed to some surprise Havret was the last man left to challenge him.

"No disrespect to Gregory, he's a great player," McDowell said. "But when you have Tiger and Phil and Ernie obviously there, you're not expecting Gregory Havret to be the guy you've got to fend off."

McDowell, 30, became the first European to win the U.S. Open since Tony Jacklin in 1970. He's a likable gentleman with blue-collar roots in Portrush, Northern Ireland, and a solid if unspectacular resume in major championships - six top-20 finishes in his past eight starts.

He's no Woods/Mickelson/Els, by any stretch, but neither is he a fluke. McDowell arrived at Pebble ranked No. 37 in the world - fresh off a win at the European Tour's Celtic Manor Wales Open - and leaves at No. 13. In many ways, he counts as an across-the-pond equivalent of Lucas Glover, last year's winner - respected among his peers, well beneath the radar of casual fans.

McDowell is not even the most well-known professional golfer from Northern Ireland, thanks to mop-haired, 21-year-old sensation Rory McIlroy. But he's well-known enough to spark a sweeping celebration in his homeland, even if it was nearly 2:30 a.m. back home when he sank Sunday's final putt.

"I think they will be watching, and there will be a few pints of Guinness maybe going down right about now," McDowell said. "They might extend drinking hours a little bit tonight."

McDowell and his caddie, Ken Comboy, seemed almost unable to comprehend what happened Sunday. Comboy stood outside the scoring trailer, behind the 18th green, and spoke of how much more nervous McDowell seemed Saturday, when he shot 71 and lost his 36-hole lead to Johnson.

At the same time, Comboy and McDowell were convinced he could compete on this stage, going back to the way he played in his Ryder Cup debut two years ago. Even though his European team lost, McDowell went 2-1-1 and earned four points; only Ian Poulter pocketed more.

That quiet confidence served McDowell well Sunday, under difficult scoring conditions. The greens were dry and fast, forcing players to putt defensively, and USGA officials provided few friendly pins after the first seven holes, traditionally the time to score at Pebble.

Johnson still managed to make an early mess - triple bogey on No. 2, double bogey on No. 3, bogey on No. 4. By the time Johnson walked off the No. 5 green, where McDowell made birdie, his three-shot lead had suddenly turned into a four-shot deficit.

The reverberations echoed all over the course. "As soon as Dustin made the triple, it was a wide-open tournament," Mickelson said.

Mickelson took himself out of the fray with 39 on the back nine. Els came home in 40. Woods shot 38 on the front and 37 on the back, spraying shots wildly - one bounced off a tree, another skittered over a cliff - and putting tentatively.

So it came down to McDowell and Havret, unlikely combatants in Pebble lore. McDowell's lead shrank to one when he made bogey on No. 17, but Havret's inability to convert his 8-foot birdie putt on No. 18 - after McDowell smacked a clutch drive down the right side - gave him some cushion.

He shrewdly laid up on his second shot, dropped his third on the green and two-putted. And then he was in the club, raising a figurative cocktail with Nicklaus, Watson, Kite and Woods.

"I'm not quite sure if I belong on that list," McDowell said, "but, hey, I'm there now."

More coverage

Tiger fades: Fourth at the Open is great unless you're the world's No. 1. B6

Consolation: Mickelson sorry he lost but "glad" he wasn't second again. B7

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